Chapter 98 What I Give Her Cannot Be Less Than Others
Leopold made his position clear in front of Elijah, keeping business and personal matters separate.
The two talked in the study for over an hour. Caroline waited anxiously in the living room, while Elysia remained calm, watering plants while listening to an audiobook, occasionally glancing back at the person on the sofa.
Twice Caroline tried to knock on the door, but Elysia stopped her, either asking her to eat some fruit or help water the plants.
When Caroline was about to knock for the third time, Elysia said meaningfully:
"If something was really wrong, your dad would have kicked him out already. The fact that he's willing to talk is a good thing. Don't worry about how long they chat - the longer they talk, the better the conversation is going. That's how people are. Once things are talked through, hearts can open up."
Caroline thought for a moment, then sat back down.
"Mom,"
Elysia leisurely watered the plants, "What is it?"
Caroline walked up behind her, "Are you still mad at me?"
Elysia turned around and glared at her with disappointment, "Of course I'm mad. It's not that easy to get over it."
Though she said this, she knew deep down that there's no real grudge between parents and children. At first she was indeed very angry, but then thinking it over, Leopold was pretty good in all aspects and considerate toward Caroline. She'd been pushing for marriage, and now Caroline was married - this was what she'd wanted.
"Mom," Caroline took the small spray bottle from her hand, "Let me do it."
Elysia let go and stood to the side, "Caroline, you've been obedient your whole life. Suddenly doing something this rebellious in your twenties - I actually find it kind of interesting."
Caroline: "Mom."
Elysia smiled, "I'm telling the truth. When you were in middle school, several of my coworkers got called in by teachers because their kids were either dating early or smoking and skipping school. Then there was you - I don't know how many times they envied me."
Memories of the past came flooding back.
Caroline looked at Elysia, "From what you're saying, are you a bit disappointed?"
Elysia looked at the plants in her hands with loving, gentle eyes and said, "How could that be? Your dad and I were always busy and couldn't spend much time taking care of you. I'm just happy to see how you've grown up."
"How much longer are they going to talk?" Caroline glanced back at the tightly closed study door.
Elysia checked her watch, "Probably almost done. Take the fruit in to them."
"I can?" Caroline straightened up.
Elysia: "Go ahead."
Caroline quickly went to get the fruit plate and trotted to the study door, knocking, "Dad, the strawberries are really sweet. I brought some in for you."
A voice from inside responded: "Come in."
Caroline took a deep breath and pushed open the door. She immediately saw Leopold sitting with his back to her. She walked to the desk and set down the fruit plate, her eyes subtly checking Leopold's expression. Seeing he looked normal, her anxious heart finally settled.
"Dad, Leopold bought these strawberries. Try them." Caroline pushed the fruit plate closer.
Elijah glanced at it. Seeing he didn't move, Caroline picked the biggest one, "Dad, try it. Mom said they're sweet."
At the mention of Elysia, Elijah finally reached out and took it. As he brought it to his mouth, two pairs of eyes stared straight at him. Elijah turned to the side to eat, so they couldn't see his expression.
"Dad, is it sweet?" Caroline asked.
Elijah swallowed before giving a faint response.
Leopold picked another one, "Dad, have another."
Elijah looked at the strawberry held in mid-air. Elysia passed by the study door and pretended to cough lightly. Finally, Elijah inside the room reached out to take it and ate it with a blank expression, eyes lowered.
Seeming to dislike being watched while eating, Elijah got up and left the study first.
"Dad," Leopold asked, "were the strawberries sweet?"
Elijah stood with one foot in and one foot out of the doorway, "Sweet."
Caroline pressed her lips together in a smile. Leopold made a shushing gesture at his lips, signaling her not to laugh out loud.
After the person had gone far enough, Caroline asked quietly, "How did it go?"
Leopold finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Pretty good. I think he's not angry anymore. What about you? How did it go with Mom?"
Caroline also answered honestly: "At first she scolded me for quite a while, then I talked to her for a bit and she wasn't angry anymore."
"Neither of them is angry - does that mean we've passed this hurdle?" Leopold asked.
Caroline pointed her chin at the fruit plate, "He ate the strawberries you gave him. Need I say more?"
Leopold laughed with relief, "I was just discussing with Dad how many tables to have at the wedding banquet. His idea is not to invite people we know socially, just family, and even then there's a requirement - no more than five tables."
Caroline was surprised, "You guys talked about all that?"
"What else? Did you think Dad was scolding me the whole time?" Leopold lightly bumped Caroline with his shoulder, "Tell the truth, were you worried sick out there?"
She couldn't stand his smug look. Caroline pursed her lips, "Not at all. You're being full of yourself."
"Won't admit it?" Leopold grabbed her wrist, "Don't think about leaving. Make it clear before you go."
Caroline frowned, "Stop it. You dare mess around on my home turf?"
Leopold immediately let go, with an expression that said 'wait till I deal with you at home,' raising his hand to point at her in the air.
Caroline looked down at his hand, "What's that supposed to mean? Just got married and already want to use domestic violence?"
Leopold quickly pulled his finger back, with a pleasing expression, "How would I dare? It's not enough time to cherish you, how could I be violent?"
"Caroline," a voice called from the living room.
Caroline answered readily, "Coming, Mom."
Caroline came to the living room and saw Elijah and Elysia sitting on the sofa with a bank card on the table.
Elijah said, "Leopold, you come over too."
The two exchanged glances and came over, puzzled.
Elijah gestured to them, "Sit. Your mom and I have something to say to you."
The two sat down properly, attentive like elementary school students in class.
Elysia pushed the bank card in front of Leopold, "Leopold,"
"Mom, please say whatever you need to."
Elysia said, "Last night Caroline told me you bought her an apartment."
Leopold nodded, "Buying a house for marriage is normal."
"I know you're financially well-off, but I checked that wedding apartment too, and the price isn't cheap. No matter what you're thinking, your dad and I think that when you register the property, you should put both your names on it. As for the renovation money, your dad and I only have Caroline as our daughter in this life, and the money we've saved is all for Caroline. I've calculated it, and the money in there should be enough for renovation. We also have a storefront property. When we find the time, we'll put that storefront under both your names too. We don't have any extra demands. However much money ordinary families in Seaside City spend on weddings, that's what we'll spend. You can rest assured that whatever we should give, we won't give any less."
Leopold quickly said, "Mom, we don't need this money. Having Caroline is more precious than any gift. As for those properties, I won't let Caroline be shortchanged either. What I give her can't be less than what others get."